Call It What You Want! Ed Serrano Retrieval system, lumber feeder, lumber pack feeder – the name doesn’t really matter. So, what does matter? The speed matters, the size matters, and the options matter! Vekta’s PackFeeder /retrieval system/ lumber feeder is fast enough to feed two linear saws! ... Read More September 2020 Issue #12254 Page 60
Making Software ‘Simple’ Ed Serrano Price, speed, accuracy, footprint, service, and support. Those are the most common features considered when it comes to purchasing a linear saw. And, yes, they are important, but a linear saw is nothing but powder-coated steel and a blade until it’s told what to do. That’s why what... Read More July 2020 Issue #12252 Page 62
Making Your PackFeeder Dream a Reality Ed Serrano Packfeeders. Bunk Feeders. Call it what you will, but if you’re like most sites, the idea is nothing more than a pipe dream that quickly disappears once you start to ponder where you might put it. To get any real benefit from them, the perception is that the system you need to carry a lot... Read More May 2020 Issue #12250 Page 43
COVID-19 – Was This in Your Risk Analysis? Ed Serrano Every astute business owner has a risk analysis with plans to mitigate those risks. Within the Component Manufacturing industry, elements such as housing downturn, hacking of systems, machine failings, and staff safety concerns would generally make up the topics. I’d put money on the fact... Read More April 2020 Issue #12249 Page 47
Industry 4.0 – What’s the Hype? Ed Serrano Not so long ago, the concept of “lean manufacturing” was embraced and implemented worldwide for manufacturing. But these days, lean manufacturing is old news. Today, you need to be on the “Industry 4.0” bandwagon if you want to survive into the next decade. Governments,... Read More January 2020 Issue #12246 Page 47
How to Ensure Your Choice of Linear Saw is a ‘Cut’ Above the Rest Ed Serrano Investment: [ɪnˈvɛs(t)m(ə)nt] NOUN: a thing that is worth buying because it may be profitable or useful in the future. Automating your truss and frame plant is an investment in your business and your future. Today, the American market has the benefit of having a number of linear saw... Read More December 2019 Issue #11245 Page 45
You speak, Vekta listens. Ed Serrano An 8-bunk PackFeeder that takes up virtually NO extra space! Few people likely realize that many, actually most, of Vekta’s great ideas and innovations originated with our customers. At the BCMC in Columbus, Ohio, Vekta’s MD Ed Serrano was chatting with a long-standing Vekta... Read More November 2019 Issue #11244 Page 58
Stacking Trusses and Frames Just Got a Whole Lot Easier! Ed Serrano Sometimes our industry needs a bit of a shake up! Going from strength to strength, VektaUSA has once again turned heads—this time with a new, straight forward, compact, easy to use and practical solution for stacking trusses and wall frames! The tried and proven Stakpro product line has... Read More October 2019 Issue #11243 Page 58
Linear Saw Optimization to Turn Costs into Benefits Ed Serrano Before buying a linear saw, several common questions will be asked. What is the price? Speed? Accuracy? Most potential customers enquire about support and on-going maintenance. Occasionally, the topic of spare parts and availability is broached, and sporadically someone may throw in a question... Read More July 2019 Issue #11240 Page 66
Optimizing Chaos Ed Serrano Optimization… In general, most plants want to mix up the cutting list, while still controlling the order that the members cut by the saw. This allows some gains in waste/cost to be had by combining members but still allows the cut components to be stacked easily according to truss once... Read More October 2018 Issue #10231 Page 42